Obituary of Agnes Marie Howell

Agnes Marie Howell died at the beautiful age of 90 on Saturday, April 13, 2024, in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Agnes was born on March 23, 1934, in Boulder, Colorado, where she fell in love with the mountain vista. Her family moved to Memphis, Missouri in the ‘40s, the setting of Agnes’ childhood with her four beloved siblings. She was close with each sibling throughout their lives - from moving to Davenport, Iowa with her three sisters to work at The Times Cafeteria (where they were known as “The Jansen Quartette” and where she met her husband) to taking turns visiting one another as adults.

Agnes married her husband, Jerry Leroy Howell, on August 24, 1956, and together they raised two children, Debora and Douglas. Drawn by horses and white fences, they moved to Kentucky and opened a chiropractic office in Frankfort, which Dr. Doug Howell continues today.

Agnes loved riding and showing horses, especially her prized mare Miss Pride, with whom she won state High Point Racking Horse. She loved observing nature’s beauty, especially spring flowers and hummingbirds, which she fed every summer. She worshiped at Graefenburg Christian Church and Church of the Ascension. She enjoyed dancing, playing Bingo and exercising at the Capital City Activity Center, where she served on the Advisory Council, and socializing with the “Good Timers” group, where she met her special friend of over 10 years, Edward Coleman. She adored life up to her final days with dear friends, Caroline Collins, Jane Sprung, Bettye Gaither, Jeannetta Sacre, Becky Tennill and many more.

Most of all, Agnes loved being with family. For over 20 years, she lived next door to her son’s family, cherishing impromptu visits from grandkids bearing wildflower bouquets and summer’s weekly “Sunday Fundays” by the pool. She attended countless grandchildren’s sports games, concerts, gymnastic competitions, and recitals with pride. She enjoyed regular trips to visit her daughter’s family in Indiana and many family vacations. She loved hosting family from out of state traveling through for a visit.

Agnes grew old with several siblings, witnessed the success of her children, helped raise five grandchildren, spoiled five great-grandchildren, and nurtured many friendships that were like family. In an interview with her granddaughter a week before she passed Agnes shared, “I love my family. I have the best family in the world… [I’m] very, very blessed.” She lived a long, healthy life surrounded by people who loved her and whom she loved. May we all be as blessed as Agnes.

Agnes was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Leroy Howell, parents William and Elsie Jansen, sisters Norma Lee and Lois Power, brother-in-laws Bill Elliott and Buster Power, and niece Kelly Power.

She is survived by her sister Mary Elliott; brother and sister-in-law Bill and Maxine Jansen; daughter and son-in-law Debora and Kenneth Leibrook; son and daughter-in-law Dr. Douglas and Jamie Howell; grandchildren Lindsey Zimmer (Jonathan), Justin Leibrook, and Cameron (Jessica), Aerine, and Jeri Katherine Howell (Nat Colten); great-grandchildren, Braxton Zimmer, Kyleigh Ann Leibrook, Sadie and Brooks Howell, and Mara Mountain; brother-in-law Terry Lee; niece Kris Elliott Keuning; nephews Allen and David Jansen and Brian, Mark, Randy, Sean, Terry Wayne, and Todd Lee; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Agnes’ Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 11 AM at Graefenburg Christian Church, 5900 Louisville Road, Frankfort, KY 40601. Her remains will be joined with her husband at Sunset Memorial Gardens & Mausoleum during a private family ceremony.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Capital City Activity Center/Meals on Wheels Greater Frankfort (202 Medical Heights Dr., Frankfort, KY 40601), which greatly enriched her life for decades and does so for many in the Frankfort community.